When Chip Kelly left for the NFL and took defensive line coach Jerry Azzinaro with him, there was concern around the Oregon program that the Ducks' longtime coaching staff would fall apart. USC approached defensive coordinator Nick Aliotti, Louisiana Tech pursued former receivers coach Scott Frost and long-time running backs coach Gary Campbell was rumored to be close to retirement.

In the end, they all remained in Eugene, and the Ducks added two coaches with great potential.